When to Fertilize Your Lawn in Georgia

The soil in Georgia is generally lacking in all three essential nutrients -- nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium -- and requires regular fertilizer applications for optimal lawn health, according to the University of Georgia Extension. Fertilization timing differs with type of grass.

Warm Season Grasses

Fertilize warm season grasses with a complete fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium twice a year during spring and fall, as recommended by the University of Georgia Extension. Apply fertilizer in spring at the time of spring green up and start of active growth. Apply fertilizer in fall six weeks prior to the estimated first frost. This date is usually the end of October in the Piedmont area and the end of November in the coastal areas.

Cool Season Grasses

Apply a heavy application of a nitrogen-rich fertilizer at the recommended formulation of 16-4-8 to the cool season grasses in Georgia in September. Fertilize lightly again in April. You can fertilize the lawn in November with additional nitrogen if desired.

Tips on Fertilizing

Avoid applying fertilizer to wet grass because moisture makes grass blades susceptible to leaf burn. Spread fertilizer on the lawn with a mechanical spreader rather than by hand. Divide the fertilizer in two parts and spread in two directions. Water the lawn thoroughly after fertilizer application with ¼ inch of water.

References

• University of Georgia Extension; Fertilization for Lawns; Clint Waltz; October 2010
• University of Georgia Extension; Fertilizing Lawns; Randy Drinkard